Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-11
TO KILL PATTI.
A San Francisco Crank Attempts the
Life Of the Great Cantatrice
While on the Stage.
His Grade Bomb EIplodes Premature1y,
hurting no One but Himself-A
Panic Narrowly Avsrted

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, Feb. 10.-A
crank attempted to kill Adelina Patti DUR
ing the concert last night at the Grand
opers house by q bomb. The would-be
assassin was the only one injured, though
not seriously, by the premature explo-
sion OF the engine of destruction. 1t was
the last night of PATHS season here and
she was given great ovation, the house
being crowded. At 1920 O'Clock, after
Patti had twice appeared in front of the
curtain IN response to recalls, and Just as
she had retired, tremendous explosion
was heard above the applause and cloud
OF smoke was seen to rise over the railing
OF the top gallery. Instantly every eye in
the audience was focused on that por-
ton OF the house where the exciting scene
was transporting, and q panic was immi-
nent. The people in the gallery were
rushing about seeking the quickest means
OF exit, and it was only by the self pos
session of some newspaper men in q box,
coupled with that of the diva, that q
stampede OF the entire house was pre-,
vented. The newspaper men quickly per-
ceiVed that no serious result
had occurred, and that the
danger was over, and communicated
by mods and motions with Patti, who was
still in sight in the flies, to come before
the curtain. She comprehended the stu
alton and came forward quickly and be.
gan singing "Home Sweet Home" This
had calming effect on the audience, al
though many left to ascertain the cause
and effect of the unexpected interruption
Of the performance. The concert was
carried on to the conclusion. AS soon as
! the location of the trouble could be
learned a policeman rushed to the scene
and found man with badly burned
face and hands moaning with agony and
the remains of an internal machine about
him. He was placed under arrest, and
was conveyed to the Irving hospital,
where ne stated that he had stopped to
pick up his hat and cane and found q
package under the seat, which he picked
up, and that as he raised it to see what
it was it exploded. Though badly burned
about the face and hands he received no
serious injuries. No other person is
hnown to have Seen hurt. He gave
his name as DR.. James Hodges,
dyspepsia specialist, residence No.
4 Central Place. Others, however, gave
a different and undoubtedly correct
version of the affair. A lady who sat
next TO him narrowly escaped injury.
She says during the evening he made
number of remarks which pointed clearly
to the purpose which he later attempted
to carry out. Among the observations
which the lady distinctly remembered
was: Patti is singing eXcellently to-
night, but she will never sing
any more" He also was heard to make
uncomplimentaTy and revengeful allu-
sions to J. C. Floyd and family, who
were present in g box. At the Irving
hospital after his wounds We're dressed
the Chief of Police attempted to make
him commit himself, but was unsuccess-
full. He maintained his innocence The
Chief of Police prOnounces him crank
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, Feb. IQ-The
bomb which exploded prematureIy in the
hands of q crank at the Grand opera house
last night was made of can filed with
powder, IN the center of which was bot
tie. The can was wrapped in piece of
cloth soaked in oil, and it is believed the
intention was not only to kill Patti and
those near the stage but also 20 set fire to
the building. 1t was arranged to explode
by a number OF friction matches con-
nected with fuse inserted in"the bottle.
The theory is that the fuse burned too
quickly for the crank.